Violent crash sends engine airborne in Perkiomen

PERKIOMEN — A woman possibly driving under the influence of drugs crashed into a tree so hard the engine of her car came loose and landed on the other side of the road Tuesday night.

The crash occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. as the woman was reportedly travelling south on Township Line Road in the area of Saylor Road.

Limerick Police responded to the crash along with the Limerick and Schwenksville fire companies.

A woman estimated to be in her 20s was the only occupant of the vehicle, police said. The severity of her injuries was unknown Tuesday night but she was awake and alert after the crash. She was taken via Trappe Fire Company ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

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“There was Act 64 paraphernalia in the form of a glass bowl in the car and the driver admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day,” said Limerick Sgt. Bob Matalavage.

Act 64 is the state’s law against controlled substances and drugs.

A Limerick Police Officer followed the woman, who was not identified, to the hospital to secure a blood draw for testing.

If the blood comes back positive for drugs, the woman would likely be charged with DUI, but police emphasized all information is preliminary and the investigation is ongoing.

Police said the car, which was initially reported to be a Volkswagen Jetta, was totalled.

Matalavage said the woman appeared to be “travelling at a high rate of speed on slick roadways but under normal circumstances her speed was excessive.”